Agent-Based Modeling to Improve Beef Production from Dairy Cattle: Model Description and Evaluation

Addisu H. Addis (), Hugh T. Blair, Paul R. Kenyon, Stephen T. Morris, Nicola M. Schreurs and Dorian J. Garrick
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Addisu H. Addis: Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Hugh T. Blair: Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Paul R. Kenyon: Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Stephen T. Morris: Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Nicola M. Schreurs: Animal Science, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
Dorian J. Garrick: AL Rae Research Centre for Genetics and Breeding, Massey University, Hamilton 3214, New Zealand

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 10, 1-10

Abstract: Agent-based modeling (ABM) enables an in silico representation of complex systems and captures agent behavior resulting from interaction with other agents and their environment. This study developed an ABM to represent a pasture-based beef cattle finishing systems in New Zealand (NZ) using attributes of the rearer, finisher, and processor, as well as specific attributes of dairy-origin beef cattle. The model was parameterized using values representing 1% of NZ dairy-origin cattle, and 10% of rearers and finishers in NZ. The cattle agent consisted of 32% Holstein-Friesian, 50% Holstein-Friesian–Jersey crossbred, and 8% Jersey, with the remainder being other breeds. Rearers and finishers repetitively and simultaneously interacted to determine the type and number of cattle populating the finishing system. Rearers brought in four-day-old spring-born calves and reared them until 60 calves (representing a full truck load) on average had a live weight of 100 kg before selling them on to finishers. Finishers mainly attained weaners from rearers, or directly from dairy farmers when weaner demand was higher than the supply from rearers. Fast-growing cattle were sent for slaughter before the second winter, and the remainder were sent before their third winter. The model finished a higher number of bulls than heifers and steers, although it was 4% lower than the industry reported value. Holstein-Friesian and Holstein-Friesian–Jersey-crossbred cattle dominated the dairy-origin beef finishing system. Jersey cattle account for less than 5% of total processed beef cattle. Further studies to include retailer and consumer perspectives and other decision alternatives for finishing farms would improve the applicability of the model for decision-making processes.

Keywords: agent-based modeling; dairy cattle; beef finishing; rearer; finisher (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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